Anuranjita Kumar, MD & CHRO, Citi South Asia, speaks to Priyanka Awasthy, Co-founder Biz Divas & Altavis Consulting, about her unique journey and her upcoming book- “Can I have it all”?
1. Let’s start at the beginning; what were your early influencers, and how did you make the transition from where you started out to where you are today?
Anuranjita Kumar, Managing Director & Chief Human Resources Officer, Citibank, South Asia
We all start with the same drive and emotions when we are born but what’s truly important is what we manage to make of ourselves as we traverse through our life’s journey. I was an ordinary woman from a small town in India but always carried big dreams in my heart. I grew up in a family who gave me enough to lead a modest yet comfortable life, filled with diverse learning experiences. I was an optimist who always followed her heart and lived with hope right from my formative years and all through school, college and eventually my entry into the corporate world. My journey has been influenced by my parents who never treated me differently because I was a girl and, in fact, treated me more like their “son” as defined in the Indian Society. I was shaped by the trust my family put in me when I made choices contrary to conventions and studying in the best educational institutions in the country. Eventually I made my mark in the corporate world persevering through the troughs and crests of victories and sometimes, setbacks.
2. We are excited about your new book, what motivated you to write it?
Through this book, I wish to lend a perspective via my own narrative of a corporate professional, mother, wife, and daughter and leave readers with optimism and a sense of hope. My experiences, at various personal and professional crossroads, sowed the seeds for this book and are a reflection of my life spanning across my formative adolescent years right up to my current leadership position with a multinational bank.
3. Who is the target audience? Please tell us more about the book.
I believe my narrative can be relevant for anyone across cultures, gender or age as it talks about successfully managing senior stakeholders and challenging colleagues, while navigating workplace politics, indulging in introspection and building a circle of trust with mentors.
My story is also a reference for anyone who wishes to learn what constitutes a leadership journey and observations of what women encounter in their careers and personal lives, often at the same time.
4. This book is about your unique journey, what factors have contributed most to your success?
Key factors that contributed immensely to my moving forward include – choices made with courage and conviction, my own calling to persist and self-confidence built over time. I truly believe that we are a result of our choices. While one needs to constantly learn and enhance cipro one’s skills throughout one’s journey, what anchors you is ‘your own calling’. It is this passion and desire to make an impact that made me overcome every challenge that crossed my path. Of course, nothing compares to having a supporting family and colleagues. Confidence in one’s self greatly translates into another’s confidence in you.
5. What are the challenges you have faced in this journey this far? What have been your key learning’s?
This book is a product of all my experiences, of trials and tribulations that shaped me as much as the victories and high points. There are a few things that stand out of the many things I have learnt in my years in the corporate world and the different phases of my personal life. I learnt that success is a function of how one responds to what is happening around oneself. I also realized that it is your own conviction that helps you succeed in a tough situation and that there is nothing as dangerous as self-doubt. If no one has done it so far, you could be the one showing the way.
6. How would you define leadership? What key skills should a leader have?
I think Leadership is the ability to create common purpose with collective passion. Each Leader has his/ her own style but some of the key skills that are absolutely essential are –
- Self-identity, which is defined by an individual’s purpose and values
- Big picture view which is the ability to see beyond the obvious and see ahead
- Collaborative personality that helps you build a good team
7. From your experience of heading human resources for businesses in Europe, West Asia and Africa, would you say is it more difficult for women to reach top leadership roles in India?
Climbing the corporate ladder is not easy and equally so for both men and women. It is fraught with a lot of excitement and quite a few challenges. To remain focused one needs to be clear and passionate about what one wants out of life. Women are sometimes caught amidst different roles, unsure of and feel guilty for what they want to achieve professionally. Ultimately, success depends on what one wants.
8. What message would you like to give to young women professionals in India today?
Through this book, I want to encourage women everywhere to live their life with courage, conviction & confidence. They can even question and reflect upon their choices and not be bogged down by social expectations, subversive norms and unconscious biases. I would like anyone who reads this book to befriend ambiguity and experience the joy of forgiveness. You need to fully believe in yourself and your capabilities for others to believe in you. Let your faith be larger than your fears. Destiny favours those who believe that things will work out rather than those who give up in despair.
Anuranjita, thank you so much for sharing your inspiring thoughts!
